Background: Gossypium barbadense L. (GB) is used in the treatment of various diseases such as convulsions, jaundice, gastrointestinal disorders, and rheumatism in African traditional medicine. Objectives: This study aimed at evaluating the antioxidant and in vitro membrane stabilization activities of leaf extracts of GB. Methods: Gossypium barbadense n-hexane (GBHE), dichloromethane (GBDC), ethyl acetate (GBET) and methanol (GBME) extracts were assayed for phytochemical constituents, DPPH free radicals cavenging activity, cytotoxicity using brine shrimp lethality assay as well as In vitro red blood cell membrane stabilization assay (MSA) Results: Phytochemical screening of GB revealed the presence of cardiac glycosides, tannins, flavonoids, and steroids. The GBME had the highest phenolic (196.8 ± 3.72 mgGAE/g sample), flavonoid content (75.1 ± 1.97 mgRE/g sample) and DPPH scavenging activity (IC50 of 3.56±0.82 µg/mL). Also, GBHE and GBME showed the highest and lowest cytotoxicity, respectively. The GBET demonstrated significant MSA of 83.71% at 1mg/mL, while Indomethacin gave 68.30% protection. Conclusion: The high contents of flavonoids and phenolics in Gossypium barbadense could be responsible for its antioxidant property and red blood cell membrane stabilization activity.
Ilechukwu et al. (Mon,) studied this question.